The Last of Us scenario is already happening — what do modern zombies look like?
Last of Us is a newly released series based on a video game. For those who didn’t catch the first episode— beware — spoilers ahead!
As a nutritionist, the first thing I thought when I saw the plot was — Well, this is already happening!
In the series, the flour in one of the factories becomes contaminated with fungi that, due to global warming, began to spread to people and take control of their brains and bodies, turning them into zombies. Due to the connectivity of the entire world, such flour was available everywhere in the blink of an eye.
In our world, there is no food contamination, but it is precisely this processed food that turns us into “zombies”.
What do I mean by that?
There are about several trillion LIVE microbes (our microbiome) in the human colon. Those trillions of microbes are already controlling us.
More and more studies indicate a connection between the imbalance of the microbiome and the development of depression and anxiety, as well as other disorders that were typically associated with the physiology of the brain.
There’s also something called the “gut-brain axis,” which describes all the ways our microbiome interacts with structures in our brain to modulate our behavior, decisions, desires, and goals — among other things.
Looking at it this way, we are already a symbiosis of microbes and humans, and a damaged microbiome can really turn us into modern ‘zombies’.
How does the microbiome become damaged?
Studies show that ultra-processed food greatly disrupts the balance of the microbiome, and its intake is associated with an accelerated decline in cognitive abilities and an increased risk of developing dementia.
In young children, for example, only 20% of the daily energy intake resulting from ultra-processed food can cause insufficient development of the locomotor system, poor memory, and reduced ability to learn. This is very likely a result of a poor microbiome.
In the first episode of the series, Joel and his daughter Sarah repeatedly avoided consumption of the contaminated flour, what can we learn from this to avoid turning into ‘zombies’?
- During breakfast, they are deciding between pancakes and eggs, they choose to eat eggs.
It is always better to start the day with a source of protein and healthy fats than with ultra-processed foods such as pancakes, pastries, and other “bakery products”. This choice of breakfast primarily helps in the regulation of glucose and insulin. It is also good to include fiber in form of vegetables and certain fruits. - Sarah skips the neighbor’s cookies.
In order to preserve our health, we have to get out of the patterns that are expected of us and learn to say “no, thank you”. Unfortunately, this bears some consequences in the form of persuasion efforts, disappointment, and ridicule. But, even that will stop over time if we clearly communicate our goals. - Sarah offers Joel a food she describes as a “source of vitamin C” and “a source of calcium”.
This way of looking at the nutritional aspects of food really eliminates the need for ultra-processed food. Ultra-processed food had little to no nutritional value and is usually nothing but empty calories. It is good to know which food is the source of what nutrient and why we need it. - Joel tells a neighbor that he is ‘on Atkins’. Atkins’s diet protects against zombies (just joking).
No fad diet is the right long-term solution, but a regime with a reduced intake of simple carbohydrates, reduced intake of ultra-processed grains, and a higher intake of protein can help regulate hunger and satiety, which will prevent overeating and cravings. This will make it easier to restore the balance of the microbiome.
In our modern zombie apocalypse, are you one of the ‘zombies’?
Literature:
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Famp0000058
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/omi.2017.0077
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32300799/
https://neurosciencenews.com/ultra-processed-foods-cognitive-decline-22445/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220614122611.htm
